Florida schools - interviews?

[gujuDoc]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Here's to him getting accepted! And tell him to get his butt on here and get addicted like the rest of us! 🙂

 

[QofQuimica]

They said that UM's tuition's hikes are locked at something like 3%, and even with increases, UF would still surpass it. It barely even applies to us considering it's too far down the road, but I found it hard to believe too. On the other hand, they wouldnt out and out lie about something like that either.

I didn't mean to suggest that they were lying. I'm questioning the underlying assumption that tuition hikes at both schools will continue to be "locked" at a certain rate. How hard would it be for Miami to decide to raise tuition 20% one year? Could anyone stop them? If so, who?

 

[deleted77919]

I didn't mean to suggest that they were lying. I'm questioning the underlying assumption that tuition hikes at both schools will continue to be "locked" at a certain rate. How hard would it be for Miami to decide to raise tuition 20% one year? Could anyone stop them? If so, who?

I'm curious as to the exact status of Miami. They seem to me to be semi-public because they charge differential tutition for in-state and OOS. Do they receive subsidies for each in-stater they enroll? Do they feel a social responsibility to educate Floridians and punish OOS'ers with higher tuition? Is there just a really cool club there (I'm thinking Martinis and dancers every night) that only OOS'ers can join that costs $10k per year and is already factored into tutition? I'm just curioius b/c it seems odd for a private school to treat in-state/OOS differently unless they are getting significant $$$ from the state for in-staters . . . any thoughts?

 

[unfrozencaveman]

They do get significant money from the state for residents, because of the shortage of instate seats for Florida applicants.

And you obviously need to know the first thing about Miami- no one wants to go to a club it's easy to get into.

 

[medgator]

Also, I could be wrong but I thought UF stated on interview day that the tuition you come in with is locked for 4 years while you're a student. Anybody else remember hearing this?

Definitely a lie... I started out around ~ $12.5 K a year and ended at around $16.5 K when I was a fourth year. COL is super cheap.

UM is subsidized by the state for each FL student it enrolls which explains the difference in tuition. I wonder how this will change once more public medical schools come online in Florida?

 

[QofQuimica]

I'm curious as to the exact status of Miami. They seem to me to be semi-public because they charge differential tutition for in-state and OOS. Do they receive subsidies for each in-stater they enroll? Do they feel a social responsibility to educate Floridians and punish OOS'ers with higher tuition? Is there just a really cool club there (I'm thinking Martinis and dancers every night) that only OOS'ers can join that costs $10k per year and is already factored into tutition? I'm just curioius b/c it seems odd for a private school to treat in-state/OOS differently unless they are getting significant $$$ from the state for in-staters . . . any thoughts?

There are other private schools that do this as well, and for the same reasons. Baylor is one; they give heavy preference to TX residents and charge higher tuition to OOS residents.

 

[Archimedes]

Miami's Usmle scores...

Their match list is good, but what about their usmle scores? I hear that UF teaches the usmle material whereas miami doesn't?

For residencies, what is more important? Good clinical exposure, or usmle scores? And don't say that the scores are more important for the more competitive residencies. You aren't answering the questions then.

Someone here mentioned that Jacksonville is what makes up for Shands lacking in Urban appeal. However, not everyone goes off to Jacksonville for ALL their rotations. So in some rotations, the students will have to go through a suburban experience in rotations. That's not true for Miami. But then, all this really doesn't matter if clinical experience is not as important as USMLE scores...

In Miami, how do students study for the USMLE if they're not being taught by the classes? Isn't that a waste of class time? Or do they try to cover most of the topics at least, but just in their own style and way?

Which school has a more open and welcoming and flexible group of administrators, faculty, and fellow students?

Miami kids party a lot. Will you just not fit in if you're just not hte Jack Daniels kind of person? It doesn't seem like their group is too welcoming of "uptight" intellectual tight-behinds. Well, we can't all be the same.

Which school is more open to innovation and new thought processes?

Which school uses problem based learning? Which school uses organ system curriculum? Does it work?

Which school uses simulation models to teach you clinical experiences? Like robots, or actors/actresses pretending to be sick?

How do you expect students to learn and be active with their peers at Miami, when Miami doesn't even require you to go to class? Aren't their lectures all on the net now?

How do you not go out of your mind in a small town like Gainesville? How can you really convince people that a hospital in the middle of no-man's land (ok, its an exaggeration, but still) is a great place to learn clinical skills. There is so little patient diversity!

If people would be willing to answer my questions, I'd be so happily obliged.

 

[MrBurns10]

I would just like to say that it is gooood to be home. Honestly, how can anyone not like Florida??

 

[QofQuimica]

I would just like to say that it is gooood to be home. Honestly, how can anyone not like Florida??

Yikes, no wonder the temperature around here just dropped twenty degrees. Welcome home, Burnsie. 😉

 

[MrBurns10]

Yikes, no wonder the temperature around here just dropped twenty degrees.

(What did that comment mean? Did she mean I was bringing the cold weather from NC with me? Or maybe she meant that I'm such a cold-hearted, icy b*tch that I make everything around me cold. Yes, I think that's it. Ooh, go show her who's boss, Burnsie...now!)

Oh yeah, Q?? Well, your FACE is cold!

(Well done, Burnsie, well done. Victory is indeed yours )

 

[QofQuimica]

(What did that comment mean? Did she mean I was bringing the cold weather from NC with me? Or maybe she meant that I'm such a cold-hearted, icy b*tch that I make everything around me cold. Yes, I think that's it. Ooh, go show her who's boss, Burnsie...now!)

Oh yeah, Q?? Well, your FACE is cold!

(Well done, Burnsie, well done. Victory is indeed yours )

Dude, you're talking to yourself again. Now give me the sharp pointy things nice and slowly, and then I'm locking you back up in the padded room. 😀

 

[medgator]

Miami's Usmle scores...

Their match list is good, but what about their usmle scores? I hear that UF teaches the usmle material whereas miami doesn't?

For residencies, what is more important? Good clinical exposure, or usmle scores? And don't say that the scores are more important for the more competitive residencies. You aren't answering the questions then.

Someone here mentioned that Jacksonville is what makes up for Shands lacking in Urban appeal. However, not everyone goes off to Jacksonville for ALL their rotations. So in some rotations, the students will have to go through a suburban experience in rotations. That's not true for Miami. But then, all this really doesn't matter if clinical experience is not as important as USMLE scores...

In Miami, how do students study for the USMLE if they're not being taught by the classes? Isn't that a waste of class time? Or do they try to cover most of the topics at least, but just in their own style and way?

Which school has a more open and welcoming and flexible group of administrators, faculty, and fellow students?

Miami kids party a lot. Will you just not fit in if you're just not hte Jack Daniels kind of person? It doesn't seem like their group is too welcoming of "uptight" intellectual tight-behinds. Well, we can't all be the same.

Which school is more open to innovation and new thought processes?

Which school uses problem based learning? Which school uses organ system curriculum? Does it work?

Which school uses simulation models to teach you clinical experiences? Like robots, or actors/actresses pretending to be sick?

How do you expect students to learn and be active with their peers at Miami, when Miami doesn't even require you to go to class? Aren't their lectures all on the net now?

How do you not go out of your mind in a small town like Gainesville? How can you really convince people that a hospital in the middle of no-man's land (ok, its an exaggeration, but still) is a great place to learn clinical skills. There is so little patient diversity!

If people would be willing to answer my questions, I'd be so happily obliged.

I've given a pretty good description of UF earlier in this thread. so any specific questions you have pertaining to curric/atmosphere/teaching etc. can be found there. I will say that schools that teach you well and that also teach to the USMLE are not mutually exclusive. Neither are schools that give you good clinical exposure. I honestly believe you do not have to choose between the two. Residencies care about both and both should be important to you. People who score well on the USMLEs have a solid foundation of basic sci/clinical knowledge that enable them to become good physicians during their intern year and beyond. Ditto on the clinical exposure.

Yes, you will not do ALL your rotations in Jacksonville, but you will have a choice come third year as to which ones you would like to do.... and Shands in Gainesville is nothing to scoff at for clinical experience. Why premeds continue to ding it as "less clinical" is beyond me. It has a big draw area from the panhandle, north/central FL, and southern GA for both common and unusual cases. Sure you dont have the same degree of hispanic and haitian population with the more exotic pathology like you do in Miami, but from a general medicine standpoint, I think it does a great job.

People in Gainesville party a lot.... I'd venture to say Jack Daniels would feel right at home-- after all its a college football town with 50 K students in the middle of the boonies.

 

[Kleintje]

When people mailed in their letter accepting Miami's offer, did you get a response saying they received it? If not, did you ask or are you just trusting that the mail system worked and everything is fine?

I know, I worry too much. 🙁

 

[flgirl81]

When people mailed in their letter accepting Miami's offer, did you get a response saying they received it? If not, did you ask or are you just trusting that the mail system worked and everything is fine?

I know, I worry too much. 🙁

hahaha, well, we've come this far, best not to screw it up now 😉 I gave them a call and asked if they received it, that's what I would do if I were you.

 

[gujuDoc]

Archimedes,

People may not always go to class at Miami or USF, but from what an MS 2 at USF told me, that does not mean they sit around being lazy. Some people find the flexibility of being allowed to just look at the lectures through video streaming and online powerpoints easier so they can use their time more effectively studying. It does not mean that they don't do anything that is group based. For instance, at USF, the very first course you have is known as Professions of Medicine and involves group learning.

There are many instances where there is chance for intereactive learning. But not being required to go to class does not mean people aren't doing what they need to be doing.

As per their match lists, I'm sure for a fact that if they got such good positions its most likely due to both GOOD clinical exposure and GOOD USMLE scores.

Its just like with med school admissions. You can't have just the MCAT and no clinical exposure, but at the same rate you can't have clinical exposure and a bad mcat score to get in. You NEED both. Residency matches, I would imagine to be the same.

My understanding, from friends that have interviewed with Miami and USF in the past, is that they both have given records for top scores on the USMLE.

Also, letters of recommendation and other things go into it, from what I gather.

Last but not least, if you want a more comprehensive answer to this, I'd go to the allopathic or general residency forums. They'll be able to give you the most accurate portrayal on this matter.

 

[QofQuimica]

When people mailed in their letter accepting Miami's offer, did you get a response saying they received it? If not, did you ask or are you just trusting that the mail system worked and everything is fine?

I know, I worry too much. 🙁

No, you don't worry too much. People are fallible, including everyone from the mail service to the admissions office staff. In the future, you should send all of your acceptance letters return-receipt. You have to pay a few dollars for it (and the d*** post office just raised their rates again), but when the school receives it, there is a little post card that will get sent back to you so that you'll know they got it. The other good thing about doing this is that if anything should go wrong (like, maybe they lose your letter and try to claim that you never sent it, so they're going to rescind your offer!), you now have PROOF that they HAVE received it, and you can even tell them the exact date when it arrived in their hands and which person in their office actually had it. (Someone on their end has to sign the postcard when the letter arrives.) In general, it's a good idea to send ANY important, time-sensitive document (like a med school acceptance!) return-receipt. Don't forget to keep the postcard somewhere safe when it arrives back to you.

 

[Kleintje]

No, you don't worry too much. People are fallible, including everyone from the mail service to the admissions office staff. In the future, you should send all of your acceptance letters return-receipt. You have to pay a few dollars for it (and the d*** post office just raised their rates again), but when the school receives it, there is a little post card that will get sent back to you so that you'll know they got it. The other good thing about doing this is that if anything should go wrong (like, maybe they lose your letter and try to claim that you never sent it, so they're going to rescind your offer!), you now have PROOF that they HAVE received it, and you can even tell them the exact date when it arrived in their hands and which person in their office actually had it. (Someone on their end has to sign the postcard when the letter arrives.) In general, it's a good idea to send ANY important, time-sensitive document (like a med school acceptance!) return-receipt. Don't forget to keep the postcard somewhere safe when it arrives back to you.

Thanks for the advice. 🙂

I certified it, so I know someone signed for it - but I don't know who. I guess for piece of mind, I just want an email (b/c I can print and save it) saying everything is in order.

 

[MrBurns10]

When people mailed in their letter accepting Miami's offer, did you get a response saying they received it? If not, did you ask or are you just trusting that the mail system worked and everything is fine?

I know, I worry too much. 🙁

Oh no, definitely better to be safe than sorry. I've called my schools about a week after I sent the letter to make sure they received it. You never know what can happen to the mail, and I was especially worried about Miami because I sent the letter right before the hurricane hit.

In other news, mint M&M's are fantastic.

 

[QofQuimica]

Oh no, definitely better to be safe than sorry. I've called my schools about a week after I sent the letter to make sure they received it. You never know what can happen to the mail, and I was especially worried about Miami because I sent the letter right before the hurricane hit.

In other news, mint M&M's are fantastic.

So is Publix's low-fat eggnog. Much better than I expected. 👍

Kleintje, it turns out that we interviewed together at Miami. 😉

 

[Kleintje]

In other news, mint M&M's are fantastic.

I agree 🙂

 

[Kleintje]

Kleintje, it turns out that we interviewed together at Miami. 😉

Thats cool. Did we meet? 🙂 I think I was the only female from UF that day.

 

[yrodri15]

All this talk about sweet, mint M&M's is getting me.....


Hungry. Really hungry.

So Q, what is your first choice? What places have really impressed you so far?

 

[QofQuimica]

Thats cool. Did we meet? 🙂 I think I was the only female from UF that day.

If we did, I don't remember you. 😳 rtmcad also interviewed with us. I was easy to pick out; I was the girl wearing the black suit.

 

[Kleintje]

If we did, I don't remember you. 😳 rtmcad also interviewed with us. I was easy to pick out; I was the girl wearing the black suit.

I have meet rtmcad.

I was wearing a black suit too. 😀

 

[QofQuimica]

So Q, what is your first choice? What places have really impressed you so far?

You know what my problem is? The last school I've visited is always the one that I like best. I have yet to go somewhere and feel like there is no way that I'd attend this school under any circumstances. And sometimes I've been very pleasantly surprised and liked certain schools much more than I expected to like them. So this is my long way of saying that I don't know what my first choice is. 😳

 

[MrBurns10]

You know what my problem is? The last school I've visited is always the one that I like best. I have yet to go somewhere and feel like there is no way that I'd attend this school under any circumstances. And sometimes I've been very pleasantly surprised and liked certain schools much more than I expected to like them. So this is my long way of saying that I don't know what my first choice is. 😳

Haha, I wish I had 1394872934 med schools to choose from. 😉 I think that's really cool that you could see yourself going pretty much anywhere; I'm sure that will make it that much easier once financial aid packages and scholarships roll in for you.

 

[QofQuimica]

Haha, I wish I had 1394872934 med schools to choose from. 😉 I think that's really cool that you could see yourself going pretty much anywhere; I'm sure that will make it that much easier once financial aid packages and scholarships roll in for you.

Oh puh-leeze, will you listen to Burnsie! This from the girl who already HAS a scholarship along with multiple acceptances. 🙄 😛

 

[MrBurns10]

Oh puh-leeze, will you listen to Burnsie! This from the girl who already HAS a scholarship along with multiple acceptances. 🙄 😛

Hey, that doesn't mean I can't admire you! But if you don't want me to admire you I don't have to...I can go back to being bitingly sarcastic if you'd prefer

You know, I've never been one for a high usage of emoticons but I really like that one.

 

[QofQuimica]

Hey, that doesn't mean I can't admire you! But if you don't want me to admire you I don't have to...I can go back to being bitingly sarcastic if you'd prefer

You know, I've never been one for a high usage of emoticons but I really like that one.

I do, too. I even like its name: meanie.

P.S. I admire you, too, Burnsie. So far, I can't even get a secondary out of Pitt. 😛

 

[yrodri15]

Mutual admiration... so beautiful. Nice, where did you get a scholarship from Burns?

 

[MrBurns10]

Mutual admiration... so beautiful. Nice, where did you get a scholarship from Burns?

Haha, Miami. They have lots more money left, though. Personally, I think they should have give out SDN scholarships if you ask me since we rave about them so much.

Q, I found out recently that Pitt doesn't give out merit-based scholarships...try to find out, but if they don't you'd be better off with Baylor, I think. And that was a touching moment indeed. Everybody admires everybody! Let's all hold hands and sing.

 

[kkbmd2b]

http://www.mededu.miami.edu/Admissions/statustrack/index_html

I just wanted to let you know that after nearly giving myself a heart attack upon showing up as non-existent on this status-tracker page, I called the Admissions Office at UM--guess what? They don't use this page anymore! Apparently, it's been used in years past, but isn't being used/updated now. So...I'm not certain as to why any of you got information back when you checked it, but you might want to call the Admissions Office to make absolutely certain that what you see is what you've got. Good luck!
--
Please see my latest post for more information about the exact conversation I had with the admissions guy. Thanks.

 

[MrBurns10]

Hi all,

I just wanted to let you know that after nearly giving myself a heart attack upon showing up as non-existent on this status-tracker page, I called the Admissions Office at UM--guess what? They don't use this page anymore! Apparently, it's been used in years past, but isn't being used/updated now. So...I'm not certain as to why any of you got information back when you checked it, but you might want to call the Admissions Office to make absolutely certain that what you see is what you've got. Good luck!

Cheers,

Kaitlin

That's strange, it's been updating throughout this cycle, I wonder why they're not using it anymore.

Hey guju, did your friend find out about USF?

 

[kkbmd2b]

That's strange, it's been updating throughout this cycle, I wonder why they're not using it anymore.

I honestly have no idea. It seems like it would be a smart thing--a resource that keeps them from having to answer the telephone 24-7.... Ah, well....

 

[unfrozencaveman]

I'm determined to write this scholarship thing today for Miami.

Describe how your acceptance to our School will enhance the diversity of our student body and the medical profession.

Is that it? That's what determines scholarships? Is this just a vehicle for discussing how awesome I am?

 

[Kleintje]

Hi all,

I just wanted to let you know that after nearly giving myself a heart attack upon showing up as non-existent on this status-tracker page, I called the Admissions Office at UM--guess what? They don't use this page anymore! Apparently, it's been used in years past, but isn't being used/updated now. So...I'm not certain as to why any of you got information back when you checked it, but you might want to call the Admissions Office to make absolutely certain that what you see is what you've got. Good luck!

Cheers,

Kaitlin

Some people asked about it at the interview (b/c it was right after the Oct 15 error) and they said they use it but haven't told anyone about it in over three years. When I recieved my acceptance email it said I could confirm my acceptance by going to the status page on the following Monday. Prior to my acceptance (after my interview) is said file balloting while the committee voted. So, I think they do update it - but I don't think it is glich free (like with all technology) so they don't want people to worry if they're not coming up.

 

[gujuDoc]

That's strange, it's been updating throughout this cycle, I wonder why they're not using it anymore.

Hey guju, did your friend find out about USF?

Hmmmmm I'm sure he found out the status by now, but I won't know until next Tuesday when I see him in class, since there is no school tomorrow and I only have class with him on Tues. and Thurs.

 

[gujuDoc]

On a side note:

I don't know if I believe that they haven't used the status page in years, because that is how a lot of the posters on here have found out. I'm pretty sure they use it still.

 

[unfrozencaveman]

So is Publix's low-fat eggnog. Much better than I expected. 👍

Kleintje, it turns out that we interviewed together at Miami. 😉

I miss publix 🙁

 

[QofQuimica]

Q, I found out recently that Pitt doesn't give out merit-based scholarships...try to find out, but if they don't you'd be better off with Baylor, I think. And that was a touching moment indeed. Everybody admires everybody! Let's all hold hands and sing.

😱 Well, they do if you get into that CSTP, but it's looking like I applied too late to be considered for it. 🙁 Why didn't y'all rant and rave about Pitt sooner?

Caveman, I just filled out the scholarship form. What have I learned from this exercise??? I'm OLD. For one thing, when I was the age of a typical MS1, most of my future classmates were still in middle school. And, the first time I applied to med school at Miami (my senior year of hs, for the combined BS/MD), they'd have been in about second grade.

 

[QofQuimica]

On a side note:

I don't know if I believe that they haven't used the status page in years, because that is how a lot of the posters on here have found out. I'm pretty sure they use it still.

They do use it. Mine was also updated. I got the web address here from Kleintje.

 

[Arsenic]

And, the first time I applied to med school at Miami (my senior year of hs, for the combined BS/MD), they'd have been in about second grade.

i was in 4th! 😛

 

[QofQuimica]

I'm determined to write this scholarship thing today for Miami.

Describe how your acceptance to our School will enhance the diversity of our student body and the medical profession.

Is that it? That's what determines scholarships? Is this just a vehicle for discussing how awesome I am?

P.S. I'm thrilled that I got to say this before Burnsie did, but I know she'll agree with me that there ARE no words to describe how awesome you are, caveman. 😀

 

[QofQuimica]

i was in 4th! 😛

Well, you're 23, not 21 like a current college senior is. BTW, did you get my PM about the subforum? And how did your exam go?

 

[Arsenic]

They do use it. Mine was also updated. I got the web address here from Kleintje.

i didnt hear anything about them dropping it. why do you guys think they dont use the status page anymore? 😕

did someone say that?

 

[Arsenic]

I'm determined to write this scholarship thing today for Miami.

Describe how your acceptance to our School will enhance the diversity of our student body and the medical profession.

Is that it? That's what determines scholarships? Is this just a vehicle for discussing how awesome I am?

yes

 

[Arsenic]

I miss publix 🙁

where are you? publix rawks

 

[QofQuimica]

where are you? publix rawks

Clean out your PM box, A-man. My message bounced.

 

[QofQuimica]

i didnt hear anything about them dropping it. why do you guys think they dont use the status page anymore? 😕

did someone say that?

Someone said that on the previous page of this thread, but the general consensus is that it isn't true.

 

[Arsenic]

Clean out your PM box, A-man. My message bounced.

500 messages downloaded and then deleted. 😀

sorry Q.